The picture was competently directed by Pedro Almodovar in his usual style, being produced by his brother Agustin Almodovar and their production company , El Deseo . Interesting and agreeable drama by Almodovar plenty of passions , love , death , twists and great performances . In Madrid , Harry Caine (Luis Homar) is a blind screenwriter and ex-filmmaker , long time ago was still known by his real name , Mateo Blanco , he is helped by Judit (Blanca Portillo) and her son Diego (Navas) . Harry attempts to heal his injures from 14 years back when he had a car accident along with his sweetheart . But the past comes rushing in when Harry to be aware the death of Ernesto Martel (José Luis Gómez) , a powerful producer , and Ernesto's son (Ruben Ochandiano) pays Harry a visit . In a lot of flashbacks we watch how Mateo , falls in love with Ernesto's mistress, Lena (Penélope Cruz) , and casts her in a picture , which Ernesto produces . Later on , the disturbing Ernesto sends his son to film the making of the movie, to follow Lena and Mateo, and to give him the daily footage , then things get awry . The picture is narrated by a series of flashbacks to the 1990s containing intense drama , passion, twists , obsession , jealousy, guilt , and surprises . The movie has an autobiographical dimension, but that is indirectly, through the weird characters . Almodóvar told about ¨Abrazos rotos¨ or ¨Broken embraces¨ the following : ¨ I believe it is the most complex script I've ever written and during the writing of this film and also during the shoot, I did find myself in a different place. The way of making the film, the way of telling the story, the actors' tone and the way of editing was, you could say, a departure from some of my previous films. The film is much more balanced between the female characters and the male characters. This is also something new for me. I do feel that this film is a true declaration of love for cinema. I could almost say that cinema perfects all the irregularities, or the imperfections, of life¨ . And about Penélope Cruz : ¨Penélope was born to be an actress. She is someone who is extremely emotional, and if she was not an actress it could be a problem for her. It's luck she has chosen a profession that allows her to express something that would be too much for a normal person. Otherwise she would suffer a lot. And even now maybe she suffers too much¨ . The main cast is frankly extraordinary , as Luís Homar as a blind writer who reaches this moment in time , but the sad past returns ; Penélope Cruz as the gorgeous Lena ; and José Luis Gómez as the jealous and obsessive Ernesto. The support cast is pretty good , such as : Blanca Portillo , Ruben Ochandiano , Lola Dueñas , Ángela Molina , Kiti Mánver , Mariola Fuentes , Carmen Machi ,Rossy de Palma , Alejo Sauras , Kira Miró and Chus Lampreave , Pedro's ordinary . Sensitive and enjoyable soundtrack by Oscar Winner Alberto Iglesias , Almodovar regular. Colorful and evocative cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto . The motion picture was well directed by Pedrro Almodóvar , considered to be the most internationally acclaimed Spanish filmmaker since Luis Buñuel .He often uses symbolism and metaphorical techniques to portray circular storylines .His films often portrays strong female characters and transsexuals and he has directed one Oscar nominated performance: Penélope Cruz in Volver (2006) . His first films were in low budget and had certain success , such as Pepi, Luci, Bom y otras chicas del montón , Entre tinieblas , Laberinto de pasiones , What Have I Done to Deserve This? . Pedro subsequently made several hit movies . He spent 10 years writing the script for La mala educación (2004) (a.k.a. "Bad Education"), during which time he made such acclaimed films such as Todo sobre mi madre (1999) (a.k.a. "All About my Mother") and Hable con ella (2002) (a.k.a. "Talk to Her") , the script is based upon a short story he wrote as an adolescent, which was based upon his experience at a Catholic boarding school . Pedro has got a lot of hits with dramatic films as Talk to her , Volver , The flower of My secret , The sin I live in, Carne Trémula, Tacones Lejanos , Ley Del Deseo , Matador and many others.

Coming from me, it's not a congratulation. As Allen, I think that Almodovar is a highly overrated director that is praised for his touch, his universe whereas his movies are tedious, boring, dull and above all, it's a cinema about high society empty of any social consciousness and famous for his beautiful actresses.Here, he deals with two of the worst themes that I can't stand when I watch a movie: first, it's about a movie production so it's the ground zero of filmmaking , the empty void of imagination. The director has just to put his camera and says that's my story! With the extra, you can see that the "imagined" director acts similarly as Almodavar himself.Next, it happens among the mighty: the jealous boyfriend is a very rich business man who has tied with the politics! This confirms Almodovar's lack of imagination as such a background is totally unbelievable or at least uninteresting. Who cares about their "f…ing" lives? Do they really think it's entertainment for us? Do they really want to show us what's they can do with power and money: well, I see that they mistake sexual harassment for love but it's not news anymore… And for those who thinks that Almdovar shoots hymns to women, I find that he only sees them as object, to be grasp and embrace like the movie's title!What's left? A cute Penélope whose effort to looks like the late Audrey Hepburn is successful. Few inspired cameras movement that reminds me of David Lynch as Almodovar plays with projected images. The movie is full of colors, makes a trip to Lanzarote but it's not enough. In conclusion, I notice that this movie is from 2009 at a time when Almodovar's country was in crisis with high level of unemployment, rise of poverty and contesting. To shoot such a movie when his fellows suffer is stupidity or provocation and surely a sign of decadent artist! It's like everything crumbles around him and he doesn't seem to care. A recommendation: Pedro, look at your people and you will find inspiration!

every Almodovar is a labyrinth. many rooms. many voices. small stories as seeds for telenovelas in which kitsch colors are parts for delicate tales. balls of guilty and blind expectations. hate and sacrifices. and heroes as far islands. in this case - a writer, a young man, a woman and a movie. a love story as hunting and death of rich old man. present as slice of past. truth as circle of lost time and confession as beginning. Penelope Cruz in one of her vulnerable, cold and malleable role. Lluis Homar as Teseus against powerful Minos. affection as Minotaurus. and a young man Ariadne.a movie like tango. masks, music, drops of evening, rhythm and hall. night as basket for crumbs.

So I watched broken embraces which was released in 2009 and directed by acclaimed Spanish film maker Pedro Almodovar. So is it good well yeah. Actually it was pretty great. It was surreal while not beating you over the head with it, kind of Fellini like in nature. The movie alludes to this, it also has a touch of Hitchcock in there as well. Penelope Cruz is great as she often is in Almodovar's films. The story is original and the acting is great. This is one of those movies intellectuals can grapple with and wax philosophic, while others can just enjoy if they either speak Spanish or can deal with subtitles. I highly recommend this movie. if you like concise reviews of interesting films please read my other reviews at http://raouldukeatthemovies.blogspot.com/